Nadiem Makarim Talks of Absence of Pancasila, Bahasa Indonesia in Curriculum

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Ministry of Education and Culture, which is led by Nadiem Makarim, plans to propose a revision to the Government Regulation (PP) No. 57/2021 concerning the National Education Standards as it does not mention Pancasila and the Indonesian language as compulsory subjects in the curriculum for higher education. The PP, which was signed by President Joko Jokowi Widodo on March 30, 2021, has sparked controversy.

Nadiem clarified that the nation’s ideology and the Indonesian Language had always been and would remain mandatory in the curriculum. This is because the PP 57/2021 was drafted by referring to Law No. 20 of 2003 concerning the National Education System and Law No. 12 of 2012 on Higher Education, which note Pancasila and the Indonesian Language as compulsory subjects.

However, the PP as the derivative rule of the laws does not explicitly include the two subjects in the higher education curriculum. 

“We are happy and appreciate the input from the public. To prevent further misunderstandings, we will propose a revision to the PP regarding the substance of the compulsory curriculum,” said Nadiem in a written statement today, April 16, 2021.

The submission of the revised PP will refer to article 5 (2) of the 1945 Constitution, Law No. 20 of 2003, and Law No. 12 of 2012.

“We are thankful for the public's attention and ask for blessings so that the harmonization process with other ministries or institutions related to the revision of PP No. 57 of 2021 can run smoothly and be completed soon,” said Nadiem Makarim.

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DEWI NURITA